| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. | 1After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor. |
| 2And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, | 2When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight. |
| 3we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. | 3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. |
| 4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. | 4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. |
| 5For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. | 5For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. |
| 6He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. | 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. |
| 7But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, | 7 |
| 8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” | 8When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing." |
| 9And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. | 9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. |
| 10Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, | 10When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, "Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense. |
| 11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. | 11As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. |
| 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. | 12They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city, |
| 13Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. | 13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing. |
| 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. | 14But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets. |
| 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. | 15I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. |
| 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. | 16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people. |
| 17“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, | 17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings, |
| 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. | 18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance. |
| 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. | 19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia who should be here before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. |
| 20Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, | 20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council, |
| 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” | 21other than this one thing I shouted out while I stood before them: 'I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" |
| 22But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” | 22Then Felix, who understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, adjourned their hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case." |
| 23So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. | 23He ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs. |
| 24And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. | 24Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. |
| 25Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” | 25While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you." |
| 26Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. | 26At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him. |
| 27But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound. | 27After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. |
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